2014 Ford Focus ST Review

A fun hatchback, the 2014 Ford Focus ST has a deceptive amount of power in an aggressive body style that can fit four passengers and their cargo thanks to the hatch.

After a week driving the 2014 Ford Focus ST through traffic, construction, the highway and quickly down many country roads, it’s clear that this sporty car is also practical enough to be a daily driver.

If you want to drive the 2014 Ford Focus ST you’ll need to know how to drive a manual transmission, because the ST is only available in a 6 speed manual transmission. The 2014 Ford Focus ST price starts at $23,625 and $29,060 as equipped.

The Ford Focus ST review vehicle offered a fun and speedy ride.

Although driving a manual in traffic or through construction is frustrating at times, it’s nice to quickly bring the 2014 Ford Focus ST up to sixth gear when on the highway and set cruise control for the rest of the trip. The 2.0L EcoBoost engine delivers 270 lb-ft of torque that makes merging and country driving fun and exciting.

Ford Focus ST Review Video

Watch our 2014 Ford Focus ST review video for a look around the vehicle and a short drive in this hot hatchback.

2014 Ford Focus ST Performance & Driving

2014 Ford Focus ST is a hot hatchback, a name it earns thanks to quick takeoffs and an enjoyable rumble as you step on the gas and work your way through the first four gears.

Driving the Ford Focus ST through a two-hour road trip, on errands around town and to multiple meetings prove this small sporty car is capable of being a daily driver that can haul kids and groceries. It is also loads of fun when you want to go fast, whether on a country road or merging on the highway.

This is a hot hatch that can go fast, but still offers room for passengers and cargo.

The Turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost Engine and six-speed transmission is capable of delivering 225 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque to pull you off the line when you do want to go fast. Sports suspension and high performance brakes deliver a fun and responsive ride. Road noise is minimal during normal driving, but when you push the car you’ll hear the engine and some road noise at high-speed.

The Ford Focus ST is only available in a six-speed manual transmission.

The short sports clutch on the 2014 Ford Focus ST lets confident drivers shift to a new gear with just a tap of the foot, unleashing power and speed in a quick second.

Owners can press the stability control button to switch to sport mode. This turns off traction control, but leaves some safety at hand where the Electronic Stability system will step in if the driver needs it. There is also a full off mode designed for use on the track.

The Ford Focus ST sport clutch performs nicely.

The 12.24 gallon gas tank limits the range of road trips, even with fuel-efficient driving. While driving on the Interstate at 70 MPH the ST delivered 29.1MPG and while on country roads at 55 MPH the fuel efficiency crept up to 33.2 MPG. City driving delivered 23.1MPG and the average MPG across city and highway driving is 27 MPG. More precise owners may squeeze out better fuel efficiency.

2014 Ford Focus ST Design & Interior

The Ford Focus ST delivers an aggressive look not found on the normal Ford Focus.

The outside of the 2014 Ford Focus ST does not look like a regular Ford Focus. Aggressive lines and styling help this car stand out, along with the Tangerine Scream paint job and a sharp-looking grille.

A dual exhaust sits in the middle of the rear, which delivers a nice note that can turn heads when you want to push the car.

The 2014 Focus ST is roomy for the driver and one passenger, and it can handle carrying four adults around town or on a short trip, but if you need to routinely carry four adults long distance this is not the car you want. The hatch makes it easy to carry groceries and other cargo, and the seats fold down for more room. There are several cup holders and place in the doors and the rear passenger area to store small items.

You can carry gear or groceries in the hatchback.

Our 2014 Focus ST review vehicle arrived equipped with optional RECARO front bucket seats that hug the driver and a passenger. These seats keep you firmly in place while driving. The rear bench offers a similar visual style and some help at keeping passengers in place, aren’t RECARO seats.

I enjoyed the seats, as did several passengers, but my wife was not a fan of the grip it provided. Older passengers also were not a fan of the low seat position and the RECARO design.

Large side mirrors, with a small mirror on each, help deliver a full field of view for the driver.

2014 Ford Focus ST Tech

Inside, the Ford Focus ST offers a sporty cockpit focused on the driver. The instrument cluster includes a small LCD that delivers access to fuel efficiency and limited information. A small second cluster sits in the middle of the dash facing the driver to show oil temp, turbo boost and oil pressure.

The Ford Focus ST includes a driver-centric cockpit.

Below that performance inspired cluster sits a larger MyFord Touch console that controls your smartphone, entertainment, climate and navigation. This 2014 Ford Focus ST review unit is equipped with Sirius XM radio and navigation which delivers a variety of entertainment and fast access to common points of interest. Using voice control to look up a restaurant or gas station is even more convenient when your right hand is shifting.

The Intelligent Access key unlocks all of your doors with a single touch on the front door handles and allows users to unlock the hatch without removing the key from your pocket. When you sit inside, press the clutch and brake and thin touch a button to start the Focus ST and you can leave the key wherever it is. This is an awesome feature that is standard on the 2014 Focus ST.

The Ford Focus ST comes with a smart key to auto unlock doors and link up to a push button start.

Unlike most vehicles with MyFord Touch there is no backup camera, so you’ll need to rely on the mirrors to make sure you don’t back into anything. It would be great if Ford included the Track Apps like it offers on the Mustang.

2014 Ford Focus ST Review Verdict

A hot hatchback like the 2014 Ford Focus ST is fun to drive to work and for a fast tear down an abandoned country road. If a typical sports car is not practical due to limited passenger and cargo area, the 2014 Ford Focus ST can step in to offer a ride that is faster and more fun than a typical Focus, without removing the ability to use the car as your daily driver.

2014 Ford Focus ST Specs

Motor Review Fast Facts:

Manufacturer:

Ford

Model:

Focus

Trim Package:

ST

Fuel Economy:

23 city / 26 highway / 23 combined

Engine:

2.0L EcoBoost I-4 Engine

Transmission:

6-Speed Manual

Horsepower and Torque:

252hp and 270 lb-ft

Base Price:

$23,625

Price as Tested:

$29,060

Pros:

Fun, Sporty ride that is practical enough to be daily driver.

Cons:

Small gas tank, Some passengers find RECARO Seats uncomfortable.

Final Thoughts:

A practical sports car you can drive every day, and even haul the family in, but one that can also hit the track.